Defending the Community College Equity Agenda - Hardcover

Thomas Bailey, the George and Abby O'Neill Professor of Economics and Education, is director of the Institute on Education and the Economy and director of the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. Vanessa Smith Morest is assistant director for postsecondary research at the Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University.

"As the authors point out, financial barriers and lack of adequate preparation are limiting both access to and success in higher education. Community colleges are the best hope for overcoming those barriers. If we are to make progress on the 'equity agenda,' we must address the issues that are raised in this publication. My thanks go to the Community College Research Center for bringing focus to the important roles that community colleges play against significant odds."

"Community colleges are the primary sites where our nation's commitment to access and opportunity for higher education will be realized. This excellent volume examines all aspects of this agenda for educational equity, contributing significantly to our knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of this vital sector of American higher education. Must reading for those concerned with the development of human capital in a time of scarce resources and conflicting priorities for public investment."

"A significant and provocative book that will raise awareness about the issues and challenges facing community colleges as they seek to expand access and promote equity within our higher education system."

"A thorough, insightful, balanced, and readable assessment of the progress and prospects of achieving educational equity through our community colleges. Defining 'the equity agenda' as student preparation for, access to, and success in college, the authors urge that the colleges focus on results: on each individual student.s progress, particularly that of low income and minority students. Both the difficulties and the opportunities of this focus are set out in detail. The book could not be timelier, for America's future in the knowledge-based global marketplace will require substantially raising the educational attainment of almost everyone in the coming generations. Success or failure in doing so will hinge in no small part on whether the community colleges can fulfill their 'equity agenda.'"

"Community college leaders, researchers, and policy makers will all find this book useful and thought provoking."

"The book provides a nuanced, qualitative look at several critical and controversial community college activities."

"Defending the Community College Equity Agenda stands out from most academic essay collections... It is a richly documented, artfully presented, and highly readable work."

"A richly documented, artfully presented, and highly readable work."